Well Cowboys Nation, how excruciating was it to watch the 49ers and Packers play in the NFC Championship game knowing the Dallas Cowboys are just as talented as either team? Many of us believed this was a game they’d be playing in prior to the start of the season. Unfortunately, 2019 ended up being one of the most disappointing in the organization’s history in my opinion.
Thankfully though, we can put all of that behind us now. There is actually some optimism surrounding America’s Team with the hiring of Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff he’s been able to put together. Things seem to be looking up for the Dallas Cowboys, although that doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of work to do this offseason.
Free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft are just around the corner and the moves the Cowboys make in both will ultimately decide the trajectory this team takes next season and beyond. Today I thought I’d take the opportunity to share with all of you my first 2020 seven-round mock draft for the Dallas Cowboys, including a projected compensatory pick for Cole Beasley.
Let’s take a look…
Round 1, Pick 17
Grant Delpit, S, LSU
No if’s, and’s, or but’s… Grant Delpit should be the Dallas Cowboys selection with the 17th overall pick in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. They’ve tried to upgrade the position the past few years, first with Earl Thomas and then with Jamal Adams, only to come up empty-handed. Delpit is cheaper, younger, and just as talented as either and will without a doubt upgrade the Cowboys secondary. I believe he will be a difference maker from Day 1.
Round 2, Pick 51
A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
Believe it or not, but the Dallas Cowboys need to upgrade the CB position in the worst way. With Byron Jones and Anthony Brown now free agents and Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis entering the final year of the rookie contracts, depth is needed. That’s why I drafted A.J. Terrell with the Cowboys second-round pick. He is a plug-and-play CB. Personally, I’d re-sign Byron Jones and start both he and Terrell with Lewis in the slot. Add Grant Delpit and Dallas’ secondary immediately becomes the strength of the defense.
Round 3, Pick 82
Darrell Taylor, EDGE, Tennessee
The Dallas Cowboys need somebody to play opposite DeMarcus Lawrence now that Robert Quinn will likely be leaving in free agency. The current options on the roster aren’t all that inspiring, so adding another EDGE player through the draft is the next best/cost-effective solution. That’s why I drafted Darrell Taylor for them in the third-round. He is as gifted as any pass rusher in this draft class, except for maybe Chase Young, and can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme. That’s good news considering Mike Nolan is expected to deploy a hybrid scheme with the Cowboys.
Round 4
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
Let me introduce you to Michael Gallup 2.0. Quintez Cephus (6’1″, 207) is nearly the mirror image to Gallup as far as size/speed and their skill sets are concerned. They both play with the same kind of physicality, although Cephus might just be the more physical of the two. He was moved all over the formation at Wisconsin, meaning he can play on the outside or in the slot at the next level. The idea of Amari Cooper, Gallup, Cephus, and quite possibly Randall Cobb is definitely something I would be on board with.
Round 5
Cheyenne O’Grady, TE, Arkansas
The duo of Jason Witten and Blake Jarwin were serviceable for the Dallas Cowboys in 2019, but I think it’s time to find a new TE1 in Dallas. Jarwin has shown flashes of being a playmaker, but I don’t think he is starting material. Cheyenne O’Grady has all of the intangibles to start in the NFL, but his off the field issues at Arkansas are a big concern. The Cowboys are arguably the best equipped team to get to the root of those problems though. John Stephen Jones (Jerry Jones grandson, Steven’s son) was O’Grady’s QB last season and could give them all the inside information needed.
Round 5 (Comp. Pick)
Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
I decided to use the projected compensatory pick for Cole Beasley on big bodied, space eating DT Davon Hamilton. Ideally I would’ve liked to draft a DT much earlier, but I believe the Cowboys will address the position via free agency in the offseason. Hamilton is someone I believe is flying under the radar in this year’s draft class. He’s anchored in the Buckeyes DL these past four years and done an excellent job. He holds up at the point of attack and has some underrated pass rushing ability as well. His play helped Chase Young and Nick Bosa do what they do and could do the same for DeMarcus Lawrence in Dallas.
Round 7
Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia
Instead of taking a flyer on a developmental player or a potential backup, I decided to draft someone who would solidify the Dallas Cowboys kicking position for years to come. Rodrigo Blankenship is arguably the best kicker in this year’s draft class and would be an upgrade over what the Cowboys deployed at the position last season. He may look like Clark Kent with those black framed, Coke bottle glasses, but he kicks like Superman. I believe he would be a huge addition and immediately upgrade the Cowboys special teams units.
